Two-time defending US Youth Soccer National Champion, Santa Barbara SC (CA-S) has the opportunity to achieve what only four teams have done in the past, win three-straight National Championships. Santa Barbara is a four-time Region IV and Cal South National Cup Champion, and will look to continue its dominance on the national stage. Santa Barbara has a knack for winning close games, and last year's national performance is no exception. Santa Barbara needed a win against Vardar 98 (MI) to return to the national finals, and got a goal from Raul Guerro in the 77th minute to secure a 2-1 victory. In the final, Santa Barbara won against Dix Hills Elite (E-NY) in overtime to claim its second straight National Championship. Only time will tell if Santa Barbara can repeat its magic and win a third.

The Veterans

Both teams who played Santa Barbara in the previous two national finals are back for revenge in the 2014 National Championships. Dix Hills put on a dominant defensive performance by not giving up a goal en route to a National League Red Division title. 2012 National Championship finalist, Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL) placed second in the National League Blue Division with a 5-1-1 record, and won its third straight US Youth Soccer Region III Championship by defeating Houstonians FC 98 Red (S-TX) in the finals. These two teams, along with Santa Barbara find themselves all in Group A at the 2014 National Championships.

The Newcomers

Rounding out Group A will be 2014 US Youth Soccer Region II Championship Chicago Magic Preacademy (IL), who defeated OP Eagles Green (OH-S) in the finals of the Region II Championship. OP Eagles qualified to nationals through a first place finish in the National League Blue Division. OP Eagles and Sunrise had identical 5-1-1 records, but OP Eagles took the top spot due to a 3-2 victory over Sunrise. National League Red Division runner up, FC Golden State Platinum (CA-S) advances to the National Championships thanks to a 5-1-1 record. FC Golden State led all teams in the red division and tied Sunrise for the most goals in the age group with 15. Baltimore Celtic's focus in the 2014 US Youth Soccer Region I Championship was on defense, as the Maryland state champs didn't concede a goal in the entire tournament, and defeated Synergy Football Club Academy (VT) 3-0 in the finals. Houstonians FC lost to Sunrise in the finals of the Region III Championship and will advance to nationals as the Region III Representative. Houstonians defeated defending Region III champ and 2013 National League Red Division runner up, GSA Premier 98 (GA) in the semifinals.

Baltimore Celtic won its first Maryland State Cup to advance to the 2014 US Youth Soccer Region I Championship. At the Region I Championship, Baltimore Celtic cruised through the group stage with a 3-0 record and a 8:0 goal differential. Baltimore Celtic took care of business against Manhattan SC Cruzeiro (E-NY) 4-0 in the quarterfinals, and defeated Synergy Football Club Academy (VT) 3-0 in the finals to clinch a berth to the National Championships. Baltimore Celtic won all of its games by over two goals and didn't concede a goal in the entire tournament.

Chicago Magic Preacademy won its fourth straight Illinois State Cup title to advance to the 2014 Region II Championships. Chicago Magic used a 2-0-1 record to advance to the semifinals, where they defeated SC Waukesha Blue (WI) 2-0. After losing in the finals of the 2013 Region II Championships, Chicago Magic claimed their first region title with a victory over OP Eagles Green (OH-S) in dramatic fashion with goals in the 77th and 80th minute to secure the win.

National Championship Series History

State Champ: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Region Champ: 2011,2014

Region Finals: 2013

Region Semifinals: 2012

Key Players

Josiah Veloz led the team in the 2014 Region II Championships with four goals.

Houstonians FC Red went 4-0 in the State Finals group of the South Texas State Cup to grab a spot in the 2014 Region III Championships. In the group stage, Houstonians placed second in the group stage behind two-time defending region champ, Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL). In the quarterfinals, Houstonians needed penalty kicks to defeat FC Alliance 98 Black (TN). Houstonians defeated GSA 98 Premier (GA) 1-0 in the semifinals, but fell to Sunrise in the finals 1-0. Houstonians will advance to the National Championships as a Region III Representative due to Sunrise already qualifying via the National League.

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2014

Region Finals: 2014

Key Players

Giovanni Sanchez led the team at the 2013 Region III Championships with three goals.

Santa Barbara won its fourth Cal South National Cup by defeating ATTACK 97 Academy (CA-S) in the finals. At the 2014 Region IV Championships, Santa Barbara advanced out of the group stage with a 2-0-1 record and a 8:3 goal differential. The two-time national champions made a statement in the quarterfinals with a 7-0 victory over LVSA 98 Boys Red (NV), and knocked out TSA 98 Red (AZ) in the semifinals. Santa Barbara claimed its fourth region title in five years with a 2-1 victory over SC del Sol 98 Colavecchia (AZ).

OP Eagles Green (OH-S) qualified for its first National Championship through winning the National League Blue Division. OP Eagles sported a 5-1-1 record, and won the tie breaker over defending National League Blue Division champ, Sunrise Elite, who had the same record. OP Eagles won their third straight Ohio South State Cup to advance to the 2014 Region II Championship. OP Eagles went 3-0 in the group stage, and defeated Javanon 98 Black (KY) 5-2 in the semifinals. OP Eagles fell to Chicago Magic Preacademy (IL) 3-2 in the finals, and both teams advance to nationals.

Sunrise 97/98 (FL) had plenty of threes this year. Sunrise qualified to its third National Championship through a second place finish in the National League Blue Division. Sunrise tied for the most goals in the group with 15 while only surrendering five goals. Sunrise claimed its third Florida State Cup title, and headed to the Region III Championship for a third straight time. At the Region III Championships, Sunrise went 2-0-1 in the group stage, before defeating Tennessee SC 16 (TN) 2-1 in the quarterfinals.In the semifinals, Sunrise defeated FC Dallas 98 Premier (N-TX) in a rematch of the 2013 Region IV Championships. Sunrise finished off the title defense campaign with a 1-0 victory over Houstonians FC 98 Red (S-TX).

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2012, 2013, 2014

Regional Champs: 2012, 2013, 2014

National Championship Runner up: 2012

National League Blue Runner Up: 2014

National League Blue Champ: 2013

Interesting Facts

2012, 2013 Dallas Cup Champions

Key Players

Donald Emerson and Michael Swift Jr led Sunrise with three goals at the 2014 Region III Championship.

Dix Hills Elite (NY-E) qualified for its second National Championships through a first place finish in the National League Red Division. Dix Hills finished with a 6-0-1 record,was the only team to go undefeated and scored 14 goals while not surrendering any. Dix Hills failed to repeat in the Eastern New York State Cup.

After reaching the state and region finals last year, FC Golden State used a second place finish in the National League Red Division as its medium to qualify for the National Championships. FC Golden State ended up with a 5-1-1 record while scoring 15 goals and giving up seven.